Page 37 of Michael
“You could have killed innocent people!” I all but hiss. This can’t be happening. This vile demon can’t be the love of my life!
He grinds his teeth and demands, “Return my kodi to me, Amanda.”
I shield myself, faking all the confidence I’m lacking. “Tough luck, Jack. I’mnevergiving it back, you crazy motherfucker. And I hope Michael and his brothers sweep you in their wings and drag you back to hell!”
His hand shoots out like lightning and his fingers fiercely choke my throat. He’s inches away from my face, his deep brown eyes burning with rage, as he shouts, “You fucking ruined everything!”
My back is pressed against the cold, tiled wall of the café, too crowded and busy for anyone to notice what’s happening, or even care.
My heart pounds harder as Jack’s fingers tighten around my throat, threatening to strangle me. I’m too scared to scream; I can scarcely breathe.
Just as I think I’m going to pass out, a voice cuts through the tension between us. “Everything all right here?”
The gorgeous brunette who got me drunk that fateful night towers over the demon, clearly concerned. Jack looks up at her and drops his hand from my neck. His expression is still full of rage, but he manages to move away from me.
“Yeah, everything’s fine, Aphrodite,” he says gruffly, turning away from the woman and giving me a warning look before rising from the chair and walking away.
I gasp for air and take my hand to my neck, rattled as hell, my eyes watering.
I slump against the wall in relief and take a few deep breaths to calm down. My heart is still racing and my throat hurts where his fingers grasped just moments ago. But he’s gone now, and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that someone was there to intervene when they did.
The woman gestures for me to stay when I attempt to stand. Her kind eyes are familiar and I realize she’s the café’s owner. Aphrodite? Huh, figures. “Stay here for a bit, honey,” she says. “It’s best that you don’t go out there—Jack’s really mad right now.”
I nod, still shaken.
The goddess peers at me closely, her expression full of concern. “Are you all right?” she asks softly.
I swallow hard, trying to collect myself. “Yeah... I think so.”
She nods and hands me a glass of wine. “Here. Try this,” she says gently. “On the house.”
I shake my head and decline. “Thanks, but no. I’m on medication, so I can’t. Doctor’s orders.” A bittersweet grin pulls at my lips as Michael’s name comes to mind.
Aphrodite smiles kindly and pats my arm before rising from her seat. “Take care of yourself,” she says as she leaves the table.
I let out a deep sigh, exhausted from all the drama that just unfolded between Jack and me. As I finally sip now cold tea to calm my racing heart, I take some time to reflect on what has happened and how it got so out of control in such a short amount of time.
Sitting there with my thoughts, I silently thank Aphrodite for her kindness in intervening when things seemed darkest between Jack and me—her assessment that it wasn’t safe for me to leave right away was spot on!
Eventually, I muster up enough strength to get my ass off of my seat. My legs are weak and my hands are shaking, but I’m determined to never see Jack again—no matter how severely he threatens me if I don’t return his kodi.
Even if that means Richard Emmert will send me to hell.
CHAPTER21
Amanda
I need fresh air,but more than that, I need my tea. It’s my special blend, a recipe I’ve kept secret for years. A combination of herbs, ginger, and lemongrass, with just a hint of honey for sweetness, and a dash of moonlight. It always brings me peace and solace when I’m feeling overwhelmed. So, I walk back to my shop, my shoulders hunched and my hands clasped tightly around me. Tears streak down my face, hot and thick, burning in my throat and making it hard to swallow. I feel like I’m unraveling, coming apart at the seams, and I desperately need someone to hold me together.
I let out a sigh and smack my forehead. “He’s an archangel.” I barely say it aloud, picturing Michael in my mind. I can’t believe I didn’t see it. Uri stands for Uriel and Rafa for Raphael… andhe’sMichael.
Archangel or not, no one can help me escape this desperate situation. I am alone in this moment, alone in the world, with no one else here to guide me forward but the voices of my ancestors.
“Fuck…” That stupid necklace was so wrong. I hate that Jack turned out to be such a bastard. I wanted to believe he was the one to break the curse… I needed it to be him, so badly.
I move ahead, my legs guiding me to the road that leads to my store. I’m thinking I’ll grab the tea, my tarot cards, some incense and head home from there.
When I reach the shop, something feels off. I grab my keys, and when I’m about to slip one into the lock, I realize the door’s already open.
